Mahalia Jackson: Walking with Kings and Queens

by Nina Nolan, John Holyfield (Illustrator)

Overview

Accompanied by John Holyfield's gorgeous illustrations, debut author Nina Nolan's narrative wonderfully captures the amazing story of how Mahalia Jackson became the Queen of Gospel in this fascinating picture book biography.

Even as a young girl, Mahalia Jackson loved gospel music. Life was difficult for Mahalia growing up, but singing gospel always lifted her spirits and made her feel special. She soon realized that her powerful voice stirred everyone around her, and she wanted to share that with the world. Although she was met with hardships along the way, Mahalia never gave up on her dreams. Mahalia's extraordinary journey eventually took her to the historic March on Washington, where she sang to thousands and inspired them to find their own voices. With a timeline and further reading section, this book is perfect for Common Core.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780060879440
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	01/27/2015
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	10.10(w) x 10.40(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	HL500L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Nina Nolan has been writing for as long as she can remember (she sent out her first story to publishers when she was ten years old). When Nina read Just Mahalia, Baby by Laurraine Goreau, she was fascinated by the amazing and graceful life of Mahalia Jackson. She wanted more people, especially young ones, to know about Mahalia so they could feel empowered by her strength, too. Nina lives in Portland, Oregon, with her ridiculously darling puppy dog, Marshall.

John Holyfield's first picture book was The Hard-Times Jar by Ethel Footman Smothers, for which he received a Flying Start in Publishers Weekly. A renowned fine artist, his paintings and prints can be found in galleries nationwide. John began painting at the age of nine, and his work is rich in cultural themes that capture the essence of the African American experience. John lives and paints in Rosemont, West Virginia.

Editorial Reviews

10/20/2014
Hailing from New Orleans, Jackson was “born with nothing” but a voice that would carry her from singing in church services and on porch stoops to the March on Washington, where her vocal performance preceded Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Holyfield’s lavish acrylics express Jackson’s vitality as she belts out songs, whether in church or working as a maid. Moments of fear are conveyed with equal power, showing a young Jackson huddled to keep warm in an unwelcoming Chicago cityscape, which are rendered in murky grays and icy blues. After her move to the city, Jackson continues to sing in churches throughout the South, eventually recording a gospel album, becoming a celebrity, and performing at Carnegie Hall at age 38. An uplifting tribute to an artist of uncommon talent and determination. Ages 4–8. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

2014-10-15
The legendary 20th-century gospel singer takes center stage in a too-short song of praise.From her childhood in New Orleans to a move to Chicago as a teen, Nolan's text tells readers that Mahalia Jackson loved one thing above all others—singing in church. She toured the South, performing in churches rather than nightclubs despite the lure of better pay, and without fail, her "joyful voice lifted people with hope." A recording contract and radio broadcasts brought a larger audience, and eventually she appeared at Carnegie Hall and sang for world leaders. On the day of the 1963 March on Washington, she sang prior to Dr. King's speech, although there is no mention of her momentous advice to him. Nolan's brief text, with unsourced quotations, is more focused on Jackson's musical drive than on the specifics of her career. The only mention of racism comes in the chronology, a misstep in a book about an African-American performer born in 1911; sadly, there is no note about gospel music. Holyfield's full-bleed acrylic paintings are richly textured and feature a portrait of Jackson on every double-page spread, her voice raised to the heavens. A noteworthy life to share but one more stirring in recordings than on these pages. (resources) (Picture book/biography. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews

11/01/2014
Gr 1–2—This charming picture book biography profiles the life of gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. Through rich, colorful acrylic illustrations and accessible, well-organized text, this work transports readers to Jackson's world of New Orleans and Chicago as she built her career, showing how she worked as a maid before gaining success as a singer ("But singing in church raised her spirits. She felt like a peacock with her feathers all spread out."). Nolan expertly details the main events of Jackson's life, making even the hardships and challenges the woman encountered (lack of money, illnesses of relatives) comprehensible. At the end, a time line elaborates further on her life, describing events not mentioned in the story. Instructions to visit YouTube for footage of Jackson singing are also included. Though the book covers Jackson singing at Martin Luther King Jr's funeral, it doesn't focus on the racism she experienced or her involvement with the civil rights movement. Children will be captivated by this poignant, inspiring story. An excellent addition to most collections.—April Sanders, Spring Hill College, Mobile, AL

School Library Journal